In April 2001, African Union (AU) Member States came together to form the Abuja Declaration, a pledge made by Member Heads of State to set a target of allocating at least 15% of their nation’s annual budget for the improvement of the health sector.
Fast forward 19 years later in 2020, Zimbabwe, being a part of the declaration, spent about 20% of its national budget on health due to COVID-19 for the extension and revamp of hospitals, acquisition of PPE and risk allowances for health workers.
Before COVID-19 the nation always fell short, however, the pandemic brought with it a silver lining as it prompted the relevant ministries to step up and do what needed to be done. Zimbabwe’s vaccination drive is among those doing well in Africa with others claiming that some residents from nearby countries have been coming in the SADC nation to get vaccinated.
A few days ago according to the Herald a UNICEF representative acknowledged the strides being made by the government to improve health delivery in Zimbabwe, with the nation on the tip of achieving the target set out in the Abuja Declaration. The nation allocated 13% of the national budget to health in 2021.
According to the NDS1 the government aims to improve citizens’ quality of life as well as contribute to the increase of life expectancy from 61 to 65 years. The government also aims to improve domestic funding for health by implementing national health insurance schemes and domestic resource mobilisation. For improving human resource performance in the health sector, strategies include providing adequate tools of trade and institute non-monetary incentives.
The successful implementation of the NDS1 will advance the nation’s health sector which will in-turn upgrade citizens’ quality of life. Meeting the requirements of the Abuja Declaration will ease the burden of health expenses, mental strain as well as physical strain on the populace as well. The government and relevant stakeholders have a vital role to play to resuscitate the health sector, a move which will be greatly appreciated.
